Stories of Self Defense

OREGON: Report a Kid With a Gun, Collect $250?

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Crime Stoppers of Oregon has launched a new campaign to help stop felons and juveniles with firearms. According to Crime Stoppers of Oregon persons under 18 are not allowed to possess firearms (generally). There is plenty of times that I can think of that a child is able to be in possession of a firearms that wouldn’t be against the law. But it doesn’t seem like they differentiate between to two, or even tell people when someone under 18 might be legally allowed to be in possession of a firearm.

I can’t help but wonder if there is going to be a huge spike in reports and investigations surrounding hunting season when a juvenile under 18 might be in possession of a firearm. It would appear that they are leaving the investigation of that to law enforcement. So if you are from Oregon, and hunt with your kids you might want to look out. Law enforcement might be investigating you based on the tip from someone looking to collect some money.

As for felons, I can support turning them in, I can support turning in people who have guns illegally… But they way that they seem to be going about it is rather disingenuous. If you are going to run a campaign like this, you need to give people the proper information. You need to tell people when it’s legal for that 17-year-old kid to be in possession of a firearm. They need to make the campaign about going after criminals with guns, not name it ‘Felons and Kids with Guns.’

This whole campaign smacks of McCarthyism and seems to make it more about the collecting money over doing the right thing. This comes across to me as being a way to normalize turning in your neighbors. What happens when someone attempts to harass a neighbor that has guns? I understand a gun needs to be seized to collect, but you can make someones life pretty uncomfortable using anonymous tips. While I applaud the effort, it needs some polishing to become something that can be worthwhile and useful to those in the community.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon needs to publish when kids can be in possession of a firearm, legally. They should also make it perfectly clear that people who attempt to use the system to harass someone who is not a juvenile or felon will be held accountable. Just because this program is the idea of someone who is a 2nd amendment supporter, does not mean that it was implemented correctly or in a way that protects those that are doing nothing illegal.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon is announcing a new campaign to help in the fight against gun crime.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon is offering a minimum $250 cash reward to anyone who reports a convicted felon or a juvenile in possession of a firearm and tipsters can remain anonymous.

Under Oregon law, persons under the age of 18 years old (generally) and persons convicted of a felony crime may not lawfully possess firearms.

To qualify for the reward, the tip must lead to an arrest and the seizure of a firearm and the tip must be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Oregon. Tips leading to additional charges may lead to a total reward of up to $1,000 cash.

All tips will be forwarded to the proper law enforcement agency for follow-up and investigation.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon is committed to reducing gun violence and helping law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington solve felony crimes.